Artificial christmas tree having erectable limbs

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an artificial Christmas tree which includes collapsible struts for facilitating the rapid erection of the tree in a predetermined configuration. In my copending application Ser. No. 254,101, there is disclosed a tree having a number of limbs, each of which includes an elongated hinge section. The limbs are attached at their hinged sections to the upper part of the tree trunk. To this basic configuration there are now added collapsible struts at the bottom of the tree, each strut interconnecting the tree trunk to the free end of a different limb. All that is required to erect the tree is to open all of the struts, the lower free ends of the limbs thus being positioned automatically and secured in place.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,819,457v Mottel [4 1 June 25, 1974 [5 ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE HAVING 3,278,364 10/1966 Dieffenbach 161/24 ERECTABLE LIMBS 3,315,930 4/1967 Cota 3,374,798 3/1968 Samuelson 161/24 [75] Inventor: Alan Mottel, Yonkers, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Consolidated Novelty Co., Ltd., Primary Examiner-George F Lesmes Paterson, NJ. Assistant ExaminerWilliam R. Dixon, Jr. Feb Attorney, Agent, or Rackman, RelS- man & Kirsch [21] Appl. N0.: 337,757

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 161/14, 161/24, 161/17 51 Int. Cl A47g 33/06 There IS dlsclosd an artlficlal Chrltmas tree whlch 53] Field f Search 1 1 13 4 7 2 22 includes collapsible struts for facilitating the rapid 1 1 23 24; 211 179 173 A, 17 R erection of the tree in a predetermined configuration. In my copending application Ser. No. 254,101, there 5 References Cited is disclosed a tree having a number of limbs, each of UNITED STATES PATENTS which includes an elongated hinge section. The limbs are attached at their hinged sections to the upper part g of the tree trunk. To this basic configuration there are l 240392 9/1917 1 61/17 now added collapsible struts at the bottom of the tree, 1:613:32 H1927 each strut interconnecting the tree trunk to the free 2,845,244 7/1958 end of a different limb. All that is required to erect the 2,853,822 9/1958 tree is to open all of the struts, the lower free ends of 2,923,449 2/1960 the limbs thus being positioned automatically and se- 2,988,837 6/1961 cured in place. 3,084,465 4/1963 3,194,409 7/1965 4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE HAVING ERECTABLE LIMBS This invention relates to artificial Christmas trees, and more specifically to such trees which include quick erection means for converting them from a folded condition to a fully erected condition in an easy and simple manner.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an artificial Christmas tree which includes quick erection means, enabling the tree to be brought quickly and easily from a folded condition, as for example within a shipping box, to a fully erected condition ready to be placed upright on the floor of a residence.

In general, the present invention relates to an artificial Christmas tree of a conventional type, which includes a central trunk, a stand by which this trunk is supported on a floor, and a number of elongated branches radiating from the trunk. As is conventional and well known in the art, each branch is made up of a central stem and includes a number of twigs spreading from this stem. The stem and twigs are formed from twisted wire, such twisted wire capturing the lengths of a filament to imitate the twigs and branches of a natural tree.

In my copending application Ser. No. 254,101, filed on May 17, 1972 and entitled Artificial Christmas Tree Including Quick Erection Means, which applicaton is hereby incorporated by reference, there is disclosed an artificial tree of the general type described above. However, a hinge is formed integrally with the stem of each branch, at the upper portion thereof adjacent the trunk. The innermost end of the stem is fixed to the tree trunk as by a clamp, and at least so much of the stem as is immediately adjacent this clamp comprises a hinge section which is formed into an acute angle. The hinge section is formed of twisted wire which is bendable and which when bent into one position will substantially maintain that position. When the artificial Christmas tree is packaged in a shipping container, the branches are bent downwardly and relatively close to the trunk of the tree. When the Christmas tree is removed from the shipping container, the branches thereof may be bent outwardly along their respective described hinge sections into their fully erected conditron.

Although the artificial tree disclosed in my copending application can be erected quickly, the proper final configuration of the tree can be obtained only if each hinge is bent to the proper degree. It is possible, for example, for a person assembling the tree to pull the limbs out too far, or not to pull them out far enough. Moreover, if while the assembled tree is standing a person brushes up against it and forces one or more limbs inwardly, the limbs will remain in the inward positions since the limb hinges remain substantially fixed in any positions in which they are placed.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide an artificial Christmas tree which allows a person to erect it quickly in a predetermined fixed configuration, and to prevent an accidental change in the limb positions.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a tree of the type disclosed in my copending application is provided with a plurality of collapsible struts arranged peripherally around the bottom of the tree trunk. One end of each collapsible strut is secured to the trunk, and the other end is secured to the free end of a respective limb. In order to collapse the tree, for example, in order to ship it, all of the struts are collapsed so that the free ends of the limbs are drawn inwardly adjacent the trunk. After the tree is removed from a shipping container and placed in an upright position, all of the struts are placed in their open positions. This forces the lower, free end of each limb outward to a predetermined position relative to the trunk axis. Thus a person assembling the tree need not be concerned with the degree of bending required for each limb hinge. Instead, simply by placing the struts in their open positions, all of the limbs are automatically positioned properly as envisioned by the tree manufacturer. Moreover, because each limb is held securely in place, it is not possible to accidentally position a limb too far inwardly by brushing up against the tree. Nor does continued assembly and disassembly of the tree result in undesirable fatigue of the hinges.

Further objects, features and advantages of my invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the artificial Christmas tree of the present invention, in a collapsed form, substantially as it would be upon being removed from a shipping container, and is the same as FIG. 1 of my copending application.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially disassembled, of the trunk portion of the Christmas tree in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken through the trunk of the Christmas tree along theline 33 .of FIG. 2, and shows one of the bottom struts of the tree in its collapsed position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but shows the collapsible strut in its open position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken through the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and depicts the manner in which all of the collapsible struts are attached to the trunk of the tree;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken through the line 6-6 of FIG. 4 and depicts the construction of the hinge/stop assembly in each collapsible strut;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken through the trunk of the tree along line 7-7 of FIG. 1, and shows the manner in which the tree limbs are attached at the top of the trunk, FIG. 7 being the same as FIG. 3 in my copending application; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7, FIG. 8 being the same as FIG. 4 in my copending application.

The drawings depict a Christmas tree 10 of the artificial type, which, as is conventional, includes an elongated central upstanding trunk 12, a stand 14 into which the trunk 12 fits and which holds the trunk upright, and a large number of branches 16 radiating at different angular positions from and at different heights from the trunk 12. Each branch 16 is formed of a central elongated stem 18 and a number of twigs 20 spreading from the stem 18. 'Desirably, the branches l6 and twigs 20 are formed by twisted wire capturing lengths of a synthetic resin filament as at 22. Such twisted wire structure is conventional and well known in this industry.

The artifical Christmas tree includes two components, namely a tree top portion 24 and a base portion 26. The tree top portion is made up of a number of branches 16 and twigs 20, emanating from a central core 28. In general, the tree top portion 24 has an external frustoconical configuration, as seen in FIG. 1, which is necessary to match and mate with the overall conical configuration of the Christmas tree 10. The end makes a friction fit with the walls of the bore 32, so that the tree top portion 24 can be placed into or removed from the trunk portion 12a as desired, and will remain in place on trunk 12a.

A hinge section is formed in each stem 18, and means are provided for clamping the end of each stem 18, immediately adjacent the hinge section, to the trunk portion 12a of the base portion 26 of the artificial Christmas tree. Desirably each said terminus is parallel to the axis of the tree trunk 12a and points to the bottom end of the trunk. More specifically, the hinge section comprises a bend 34, desirably formed at an acute downwardly facing angle at the end of the stem 18, near the trunk portion 12a, with at least the segment of the stem 18 at the bend 34 being formed of a Wire of a diameter and of a material such that the bend 34 may be rotated, i.e., opened or closed, by a retail customer.

Any type of attaching means, e.g., clamping means holds the terminus 36 of each stem 18 to the trunk portion 120. Said clamping means preferably comprises at least two encircling bands 38 spaced generally coaxially along the upper end of the trunk portion 12a. The bands are of sufficient length such that their ends overlap one another when they encircle the terminus 36 of each branch 16 and the trunk portion 12a, as seen in FIG. 8. Clips 40 encircle and hold together the ends of the bands 38, so that the bands 40 clamp several (preferably, six) generally equally circumferentially spaced branches 16 to the trunk portion 12a of the artificial Christmas tree. Portions of branches 42 may be wound about the lower portion of the trunk 12a for decorative purposes, as seeen in FIG. 2. The tree as described thus far is very similar to that disclosed in my copending application.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention as seen in FIGS. 2-3, a collar is mounted on the lower part of trunk 12. The collar is secured by a retaining screw 70 which can be inserted through a screwhole in the collar, the inner end of the screw embedding itself in the wood trunk. In the case of a sixlimb tree, the collar 50 is provided with six lugs 52 spaced 60 apart.

Each collapsible strut includes two links 54, 56. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 3-5, one end of link 54 is pinned by a conventional rivet 53 to a respective one of lugs 52 on collar 50. One end of link 56 is pinned, as shown by numeral 61, to a plastic strap 60 which encircles the lower end of a respective limb 18. The other ends of links 54, 56 are hinged together by rivet 57, the rivet also securing an L-shaped bracket 58 to the joined links for a reason to be described below.

' FIGS. 2 and 3 show one of the collapsible struts 54, 56 in its closed or collapsed position. This is the position in which all of the struts are placed when the tree is shipped. The same strut is shown in its open or erected position in FIGS. 4 and 5, and in the phantom lines of FIG. 2. It is apparent that simply by pushing down on the joined ends of the two links 54, 56, the overall collapsible strut is straightened to the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. However, were the ends of joined links 54, 56 simply pivoted together, the center of the strut might move downward past the position shown in FIG. 4, and the limb 18 might then move inwardly. To insure that the strut remains in an open position, L-shaped bracket 58 is provided, as seen most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 6. The longer leg 58b of the bracket is secured by rivet 57 to the ends of the two struts. The shorter leg 58a of the bracket bears against the upper edges of the links when the strut is opened. Thus the bracket serves as a stop to prevent the center of the strut from collapsing downwardly.

In order to collapse a strut, for example, prior to shipping of the tree or when it is necessary to store the tree away, the center of the strut is pushed upwardly. In this case, the strut folds up as shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, with bracket 58 moving to one side.

The incorporation of the collapsible strut in no way affects the tree in its folded (shipping and storage) condition. The otherwise free ends of the limbs can still be pushed inwardly adjacent to the bottom of the trunk. However, the provision of the struts greatly simplifies the assembly of the tree. Unlike the tree disclosed in my copending application, a person setting up the tree need no longer be concerned with how far to pull each limb away from the trunk. All that is required is to open each strut, each limb thus being placed automatically in a designed-in position. Moreover, if a person accidently brushes up against the tree, it is no longer possible for a limb to be pushed inwardly thereby possibly spoiling the appearance of the tree. The struts maintain the limbs in their predetermined proper positions.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that this embodiment is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. For example, the stems 18 can be of rigid wire as disclosed in my copending application. However, because their hinge sections 34 no longer determine the angular positions of the stems, the stems may be made of thinner wire. Similarly, instead of permanently securing the stems to the trunk, they can be secured on a temporary basis, e.g., by slipping the bent end of each stem into a loosely mounted collar ring. Also, instead of using folding struts, each of which is secured to the trunk and to the end of a stem, telescoping struts and even rigid bars could be used. For example, rigid bars might be pivoted to the bottom of the trunk. These bars could lay flat against the trunk during storage, but could be provided with snap-on straps at their free ends for securement to respective limb ends during setting up of the tree. Thus numerous modifications may be made in the illustrated embodiment of the invention and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In an artificial tree having a trunk segment, erectable bristled branches depending generally downwardly and radiating in different directions around the circumference of the trunk segment, the improvement consisting of a quick erecting means for said branches comprising a collar means on said trunk segment, a series of hinge assemblies, one for each branch, for selectively retaining the branches in either an erect outward position whereupon the branches achieve an overall conical or a folded compact position whereupon the branches are reduced in overall volume, each hinge assembly comprising a pair of components, first pivot means joining a point of one component to said collar the trunk segment.

3. An artificial tree as set forth in claim 1 wherein each component is a rigid link and wherein the interconnecting means comprises a cylindrical member about which the links rotate.

4. An artificial tree as set forth in claim 3 wherein each hinge assembly further includes a stop for determining the furthest distance between the points on the links. 

1. In an artificial tree having a trunk segment, erectable bristled branches depending generally downwardly and radiating in different directions around the circumference of the trunk segment, the improvement consisting of a quick erecting means for said branches comprising a collar means on said trunk segment, a series of hinge assemblies, one for each branch, for selectively retaining the branches in either an erect outward position whereupon the branches achieve an overall conical or a folded compact position whereupon the branches are reduced in overall volume, each hinge assembly comprising a pair of components, first pivot means joining a point of one component to said collar means upon said trunk segment at a fixed location thereon, second pivot means joining a joint on the other component to one related branch at an outward fixed location thereon, and interconnecting means joining the hinge components so that the points on the components are selectively adjacent or distant whereby the branches are respectively in their folded compact position or in their erect outward position.
 2. An artificial tree as set forth in claim 1 wherein the branches have a wire core and are bendably joined to the trunk segment.
 3. An artificial tree as set forth in claim 1 wherein each component is a rigid link and wherein the interconnecting means comprises a cylindrical member about which the links rotate.
 4. An artificial tree as set forth in claim 3 wherein each hinge assembly further includes a stop for determining the furthest distance between the points on the links. 